WINSTON SILL, Freelance Photographer - Anthony B as he performs at his album launch in New Kingston on Sunday night.
ANTHONY B has always been known to go against the grain and his album launch on Sunday evening was no different.
The launch of albums are usually elegant events held under the air conditioned comfort of hotel rooms decorated with champagne, wine, finger food, plus lengthy speeches by record executives.
Anthony B, however, took his launch far from this. Instead, he moved to the streets of New Kingston, and made it in the form of a stage show, to which everyone who cared was allowed to enter free.
This type of launch although against the norm seemed to have worked. Knutsford Boulevard swelled to welcome the thousands who turned up to support the launch of the deejay's seventh album.
The business district to the south of the street halted their routines for the six hours dedicated to the concert. Supporters climbed on to tree tops, scaled over walls, and stood on police barriers just to see the show from all angles. The usually cool night temperature rose to that of a steamy night club without an air-conditioning unit.
FREE ADMISSION
For the free admission, Kingston got to see a host of stars that they would have had to stretch their dollar normally to see. Names like Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, Bling Dawg, Wayne Marshall and others all fell under the umbrella.
It was divided into three segments. One was for the upcoming acts, the second for the established acts, and the third for the current stars.
Expectedly, the number of acts which turned up to show their support in performances was far too great than what time would allow. The result was some short and flashy performances by everyone except Anthony B.
He got to work a full half hour before giving it up to the scores of deejays and singers who were anxiously waiting to perform.
Another difference with the launch, was that copies of his CD were on sale for $500 backstage. The focus of the thick crowd however seemed more on the show, and the dozens of acts which made appearances.
(See reports on the performances later this week in THE STAR)
